Welcome to the Oxford Circle Memories blog. The purpose of this blog is to reminisce about the Oxford Circle neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the way it was back in the 1950's and 1960's. You know, when Philly police cars were painted red! I decided to create this blog for several reasons: to have the opportunity to exchange memories with other folks who have (mostly) fond memories of the neighborhood where I spent my childhood years, to have readers contribute photos of the neighborhood from that time period, and to experiment with blogging. So much of the neighborhood has changed it no longer felt like "home" the last time I passed through over a year ago.
I haven't lived in Philadelphia for just about 35 years. I moved out of Philly for my career after college. I attended Carnell Elementary School, Fels Junior High, and Northeast High School. I grew up near the intersection of Hellerman and Frontenac, just a few blocks from Castor avenue.
For my first post, I thought I would list the establishments that I remember along Castor avenue, from about the Oxford Circle to Cottman Avenue that existed in 1950s/60s that are no longer there. These places are just a distant memory now. If you have any pictures of the neighborhood from that time period that you'd like to share on this blog, I'd really appreciate it. Anyway, here goes:
Benner Theatre: I remember this as the theatre where I saw "Rosemary's Baby" in 1968.
Castor Theatre: In the late fifties (or early sixties) they had children's matinee movies for 25 cents. Lots of "creature feature" type movies for kids back in those days.
Tyson Theatre: they used to have $1 movies back in the 1960s.
Dante's Inferno. Pizza restaurant.
Pep Boys (between Stirling and Levick?). As a kid, I remember being fascinated with the vacuum tube testing machine they had. I think it was next to or close to the post office.
Frankford Trust Bank (at Hellerman): where my parents banked.
Western Savings Bank: think I had a passbook savings account there a long time ago.
Sun Ray Drug Store (at Hellerman). It later became the Gingham House restaurant.
Sailor's Dairy. A couple doors from the Sun Ray Drug Store.
Linton's restaurant (near Hellerman). I think there were several Linton's restaurants in Philly back then.
Fogel's (at Hellerman). I think this was a dress shop. I remember it had a large neon sign that was lit at night and could be seen from my house. Singers Appliances is there now, I think.
A&P Supermarket (at Passmore). You can see the A&P in the photo in the upper right section. Next to it is the Woolworth's 5 and 10. I think there's a drug store there now.
Bogalavsky's (sp?) bakery (at Greeby). I believe this is now an upscale restaurant called Paloma MexicanHaute Cusine.
Fleet's (at Magee). A men's clothing store. I believe they closed sometime in the 1990s.
Corset shop (between Magee and Fanshawe). I can't recall the name of the shop, but it had a great classic sign. I'd really like to see a photo of it.
Lenny's Hot Dogs. In about 2003 when I was helping my mother move out of Oxford Circle, I took a walk along Castor with a friend of mine. We were passing the storefront where Lenny's used to be and overheard a couple of guys discussing Lenny's. Turns out it was the owner of Lenny's reminiscing about his Castor store.
Penn Fruit supermarket (at Magee).
Barson's Grill (at Tyson). Waffles and ice cream was a favorite of mine there. Across Castor avenue from Barson's on Tyson there was a wooden newspaper stand where you could buy a newspapers from your car while driving by.
Chinese restaurant (between Tyson and Princeton). The name eludes me, but I believe it was just a few doors away from Barson's on the same side of the street. It had a long purple awning that stretched across much of the sidewalk. Does anyone remember the name of this restaurant? It was probably where I had my first Chinese meal.
Ronnie's Hot Dogs / Cooks Hamburgers / Fun Bun Hamburgers. All occupied the same location. There might be a 7-11 there now. Not sure if Ronnie's or Cooks was there first, but whichever was first is where I had my first fast-food meal. I vaguely remember hamburgers at Cooks were 15 cents and 10 cents for fries.
Wellington Car Stereo Center (7000 Castor). I used to pick up WFIL Famous 56 top 50 song lists from there. I still have them!
Ott's Camera shop (at Longshore). Not sure if it is still there, but I think had been around forever.
Novack's. I think this was a place to get seafood and bbq chicken takeout. It was pretty good from what I remember.
Lit Brothers (at Cottman). A department store. Later it became Gimbels, and then Clover.
Food Fair Supermarket (at Cottman). Next to Lit Brothers.
Lychee Garden (between Cottman and Bleigh). Chinese restaurant that my family frequented. We were friendly with the owner and I once had an opportunity to play table tennis with him at his house. There may still be a Chinese restaurant at that location.
Well, that's about all I can recall from the cobwebs of my mind at this time.
292 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 292 of 292I took shoes there all the time- cats paw heals and metal cleats - loved the snell and the buffing nachines. Always returned the shoes in brown paper bags- also live at 1361 Fanshawe-
Pokar club
My Dad worked at PTC at 2nd and Wyoming and if we were good he'd stop at Bogoslavski's Bakery one a week for some amazing dessert. Birthday cakes were some glorious confection from the case. Just add candles and drool. The lady who lived over the bakery was so lucky-it must have smelled like heaven.
Correction the Lit Bros store at Cottman and Castor didn't become Gimbels. After Lits closed it became a Clover store and then a Penney's. Some one else is currently there. Gimbels was located at Countryman and Buselton. It then became a Pahar Mor drugstore o.j. the old basement and a Sears o.k. the upper two floors..
G Tyson Grille was located in the basement of an end unit row house at Tyson and Buselton. 2100 Tyson ave i believe. As for as i know the Rib Rack is still at that location. Great ribs though pricey.
I read that Ott's finally closed
Yes, I remember the giant, beating fiberglass heart; also, the railroad cars and the planetarium.
It was Castor Corset Shop. I worked there in high school.
Great memories! J Hampton Moore, Fels Junior High, NEHS class of 1971. Country Club Diner for breakfast of chocolate soda and cherry cheesecake, the best!! La Strada restaurant on Castor and Knorr for pizza birthday parties. Bar Mitzvah gowns at Edythe's on Bustleton Ave. WIBG (Wibbage) concerts at the Roosevelt Mall. Greenwood Dairies with the huge ice cream cones that dripped down your arm. Just a few of the wonderful memories of growing up in the O.C.
There was the Episcopal Church at Tyson and Castor made out of huge granite blocks.
Joe's 5&10
Silk's
Barnow's deli
Nichol's Pharmacy
All between Knorr & Kerper Sts.
I remember the Tyson movie theater ha 25 cent matinees on Saturday. Everyone would bring their own bags of popcorn.
Bill Averbach
www.bamusic.net
Then there was H&S Hardware and the Toddle House
What ever happened to Fels Junior High School? I went there 1957-1960 before Northeast High. Is it boarded up and unused? It looks like the name was moved to a newer Fels High School a few blocks away that seems located on or near the old Naval Depot area. If you search Google Earth for "Laura H. Carnell elementary school" it points to the old location of Fels Junior High School, so I thought, perhaps, the old Fels Jr. had become a newer Carnell Elementary. But Googling Carnell brings up articles that show pictures of the old Carnell, so I must assume that Google Earth is wrong and that Carnell is still where it always was at Frontenac-Benner-Summerdale-Deveraux?
What happened to the old Fels Jr. High School? Is it shut? If you use Google Earth to locate it, the search goes to the new Fels High School. If you search Google Earth for Carnell Elementary School, it takes you to the old Fels Jr. High. I assume, from what I find on the Internet, that Carnell is still at the same old location bordered by Frontenac, Benner, Summerdale and Deveraux.
I went there from 1956-59.
It later became a senior high, then something called Carnell Academy.
Unfortunately, it's dilapidated and about to be torn down.
My parents owned the Dee Shoppe at 6509 Castor Avenue. Great memories of life on Castor Avenue.
Go on to Facebook and search on: 59 trolley and pennypack, and you will see the Mark Bacanska collection of photos of old northeast Phillly. There are many photos of the route of the 59 trolley, including that pix of the trolley stopping at the store at Castor and Bleigh Streets. Ron L.
Does anyone remember a little restaurant in the 70's possibly on Loretto Ave. between Bridge n Pratt?
One night, I saw 13 year old Stevie Wonder, so early in his career, at a Neighborhood Center (Bustleton & Magee, across from Max Myers and next door to Beth Emeth Synagogue) dance in 1961 (approx.). Hy Lit was the DJ. I was about the same age as Stevie. Can you imagine parents in this day and age allowing their kids to go off on their own to do that?
To Anonymous & Joel Spivak -- I married Hope -- she tells me the hamburger hoagie was called a surprise sandwich
NW corner with Wheatsheaf school being on the SE corner.
Wow, I can't believe no posts here is a couple years. So many memories. So much character of these parts & these neighborhoods & especially growing up there in the 60s. I thought this blog would never, run it of commenters, least not for a long time..Someone,, a few posts back, me timed the super intimidating Dean Allen from northeast high. I have the most unbelievable story imaginable connectednwith him & northeast high where I attended, 67-69, but looks like interstates has died out here. The memories just pour out from me. NE high, Woodrow Wilson & the Beatles playing on the girls lunchroom record player about 65. My band played on TV on the Ed Hurst show. 27.9 gas.. Feels planetarium & the big heart to walk thru it had steps. Famous delicatessen down the street from where I worked down in South Philly. My parents store "The Candyman" & later turned into "The Bagelry" on South st. Hanging out at Cavaliers in Roosevelt Mall. Seeing Janis @the original Electric Factory for $3.Selling pretzels @ Connie Mack Stadium. The best cheesecake ever created at the Country Club Diner. Roselli's gas station @ Dungan & Rhawn that I just a couple weeks ago found it on Google Street view & it looks exactly the way it looked 50 yrs ago - how can this be?- but there either is. All night bowling for about $3 at Cottman Lanes. The little lunchenette at the little strip mall at Dungan & Rhawn around the corner from my house that had the stones "10'000 light years from Home & Ruby Tuesday on the portable jukeboxes at each booth. A nickel over the Tacony-Palmyra bridge & at the end was a Roger Wilco liquor store for age 18 instead of 21. Playing ball at Jarel recreation center. Playing pinball everyday at Connie's behind Wilson Jr high. Bells corner The Nasherei (spot). The nunnery parade marching right past my parents store in South st. The 25 cent double matinee's at Tyson, Castor, Benner theaters w/nickel candy. Doctors pet shop w/the gorilla on the sign.oh,by the way I went back to Philly in 85 to attend LIVE AID! It goes on & on but I wonder if anyone knows about the movie made about northeast high?
Peace out
Although, I did not 'grow-up' in Philly. My parents in.
...they left ~1942, but we did go back after I was born, Dad had joined the Army. So, that was between 'duty station'/leave, for the most part.
I remember only from the Mid-60's.
So, with that said.
... they had family & friends all around the City.
(which I was 'dragged' to see at: Longshore Ave., Princton Ave. And then to Longhorne to see My Grand-mother, ... 1 or 2 times, everyone would meet there. (BUT very few times, Philly was odd that way).
Grand-mom work 'make' stuff they liked, but I was not a big fan of: 'dough balls', borsch ... I would not eat, till we left, ... had a belly full of raspberries from the patch behind 1 of the buildings.
We would stay at My mom's old house, that Her brother, now had on N. Marshall St. ... Dad's Mother sold the Jasper St. house, when She moved to 'the Farm', as it was called. The 'farm' was next to a car dealership, just across Hwy. 13 from the Langhorne Speedway & what is now Levitown & strip shopping center.
I remember, when after Dad retired, we stayed on N.Marshall St. for ~6 months, in 1964-5.
Corner of Luzrene Ave. & N.Marshall St. had 2 'corner bars' & a bakery store. 1 block toward Erie Ave (?), was Al's 5&10 cents store. (I think I may have a couple of the toys from there)
The bakery had the 'best' sugar dounts, on Saturday mornings! (Aunt would give money for 12 ... 1 for the way back) COULD THAT HAPPEN NOW??
I did not care much for the 'roast chestnuts',then! A time or 2 we were around Broad St. with the prezel & chestnut carts. I get a prezel with a little Mustard, of course! I do now try to roast a few Chestnuts, but not quite the same, even with a touch of salt.
Coming home to Virginia on Sunday mornings, Dad would always stop-by at prezel place, near-by and buy 5-6 dozen, and have them double or more, to keep them warm for the way back.
Steer In &'Gino's'/... KFC chicken.
Coming back for the 'Farm' on Saturday, I'd beg to have Dad stop by the Steer Inn for a burger or cheese burger. And on Sunday to stop-by 'Gino's' for fried chicken, ... did not it was really KFC, as it is now as.
And: ... walking to school or to the Erie Movie House or a Cousin's house a couple blocks away or going to Roosevelt Park (name?, just called it the Park)
CAN NOT do that now in Philly or Any other place!!
It's a shame that this are so, now !!!
But that's how the times had changed.
Dave P.
I wonder whatever happened to the social club on benner and castor Ave it was an after hrs club I remembered the old Buick dealers on castor Ave up by cottman Ave boy what a great neighborhood Oxford circle was I drive by once in awhile it’s a shit hole now I lived on the 900 block of Marcella st saint martins of tours biggest Parrish in Philadelphia not no more
I now they made a movie about father judge called 27 it’s about the 27 guys who went there and got killed in the war I went to frankford hs
Fels is now a high school located on the hospital grounds by where sears was in the back I can’t think of the hospital name that was in summerdale but they built a brand new fels there Scott from marcella st
Hopefully someone will get back to this blog as I see it’s been years since a post. I’m remembering Boulevard pools dances on the weekend, The Manor House at Parkwood Manor on Academy road. Hesch’s bakery choc chip pound cake, Kelly’s Korner, Big Boys Drive in on the Boulevard. The first Gino’s 10cent hamburgers at Holme Avenue and the Boulevard, New England Pizza on Bustleton, The roller skating rink in Kensington on Kensington Avenue, the circus at Lighthouse field every year at Erie and Front streets. Peggy Lees dress shop on Kensington Avenue. They had great clothes if you couldn’t afford Bonwitt Tellers or more upscale stores like Lord and Taylor in the Elkins Park area on Old York Road. The Charles chips trucks with deliveries to your door. The milk man who left milk on your door step in a crate. I’ll never forget the cream on the top and that taste of real milk before they started ruining our supply with antibiotics and all the crap they put in and take out.
I remember front and Allegheny and Singers drug store and the smell of fresh baked pastries and pies from Geiger’s bakery. The Wishart movie and the old maids candy store where everything was a penny and lots of times you got more than one for that penny. Lots of store owners back then lived in the back of their stores or in the apartments on top of the store. No cell phones or computers so if I didn’t have a list when I was sent to the store I had to go in Singers drug store and use the phone booth. It was massive! All solid wood and glass with a sliding door for privacy and a built in wooden seat. Sometimes I would go in and sit in that booth just because it was so amazing to me that I could pick up that phone,dial “0” and tell the operator a number to call and reverse the charges to grandmom or my aunt. I used to love that drug store. It smelled so antiseptic, like a hospital and it was spotless. Also all you would find in there were medical items; not like CVS and Walgreens today, who are more like mini marts and mini toy stores. I lived in many different areas of the city. Kensington, West Oak Lane, Juniata Park, Comly Place off Academy Road, Sun Valley in the Krewstown area so I have seen things that younger people today can’t relate to. I’m happy to have experienced Philadelphia when it was truly great. One of my favorite memories was the doll hospital on Limekiln Pike where my broken dolls went for R&R ( repair and rejuvenation). Also, I started rides the El at the age of about 11 armed with my moms Strawbridge and Clothier credit card and a note to Mrs Bopp in the preteen department to allow me to get anything I wanted on dad’s charge card!! Ha!! The city was safe and I never got scared. Also, I’d go to Bakers shoes on Market street at around 8th and buy the newest and best shoes for $5.99 a pair; and you got great service too!! Then White tower burgers on market where they would cook the best burger in front of you. Good pure beef- before they started ruining our food supply.
So much more to list but thanks for listening.
Cottman and Large and People’s drug store was across the street
Very briefly, my mom and I lived on Borbeck near Verree but since I went to a private girls’ Catholic school in Melrose Park, my poor dad spent a lot of time driving me to the various dances in the NE, especially Ransom and Maternity BVM. I met a lot of Judge guys who were great. Spent a lot of time at the Mayfair diner too. However, a favorite memory is of Zeft’s where I learned that wonderful syrups could be added to fountain Coke. The day after graduation from high school several of us went over and got ever single flavor of Coke line up in front of each of us. YUMMY! I so miss these places of such wonderful memories. The world is too “busy” now and I really long for the way it was in the early 60s. Nostalgia anyone? Of course, there also was Little City, not too far from Zeft’s. As a girl, you very quickly learned that you never wanted to be in the bottom level as it had dangerous connotations. One night, my poor Judge date intended only to turn around when he headed to the bottom level. I got so scared that I got out and started walking to the top. A Fairmount Park policeman stopped me and asked if I was crazy to be walking around in there. By that time, my date was back at the top. There used to be a beautiful section of homes off Rhawn Street, right across from Little City called Albion Park maybe, or was it Albion Street? Is my memory correct? I dated a boy from there for close to two years. Great memories. Is Little City still there or has it been rendered “unparkable” for kids? Did anyone know Denny Holland?
The name of the Chinese restaurant on Castor Ave. between Princeton and Tyson was the "China House." We couldn't afford to eat out much, but every once in a while we would be allowed to go to the "China House." The only caveat was that we could only order chow mein because it was the cheapest item on the menu.
I had Mrs Bullock too. She used to pull the boys hair, til we got crewcuts.
Grew up on 6600 block Rutland st. I remember Mr. Cusack. Coolest teacher.
Hi Guys.....Wow, you bring back so many memories, both during my time, and also before my time!! I worked at the Gingham House Restaurant from 1978 through 1983. I remember at Castor and Magee on corner, same side of Castor as the Gingham House, just down the block was a pretty Big Place called "The Bagel Nosh".....it had giant styrofoam bagels hanging from all over the ceiling. As for Lenny's Hotdogs at Castor and Knorr Sts. I used to go to lunch there a lot...and also ordered the greatest Corned Beef Sandwiches from the Castor Deli. down the street for much of my teen life. I remember Beni's Pizza on corner of Castor and Levick Sts.....which later the owner "Uncle Frank" wound up the owner, and put a big sign up with his name on it...."Uncle Frank's Pizza"I used to hang in there a lot, I knew Uncle Frank very well, we were Friends.....I remember straight across the street from him, on Castor Ave. at Levick Street there was a "Jack In The Box" fast food restaurant, they had Great tasting Burgers, along with the best Tacos that I ever had out in my life!!! Also on Castor Ave. on same side as Jack in the Box, but across Levick St. few doors down there was a Homemade Ice Cream Parlor very fancy, called "The Garden of Earthly Delights".....excellent Ice Cream, and very nice inside the store!!!! Lenny's Hotdogs was sold by Lenny Kravitz, "Original Owner" to a real nice guy named Wayne Knapp in about 1980 or so, and kept on running till early 2000.....as the neighborhood began to go down, Wayne Knapp moved to Feasterville, Bucks County, where he re-opened Lenny's Hotdogs on Street Road near Buck Road, and Lenny's is still open there today....same great Hotdogs and Fish Cakes, along with their famous "Pepper Hash" which is still on menu freshly made daily!!! Lenny's also sells "Levis" Hotdogs Sodas, like Champ Cherry....Chcolate, Rootbeer, Vanilla, etc.....all from Levis Hotdogs of 5th or 6th Street between Lombard and South Streets....they were established in 1898...There was another Great Deli of Jewish cuisine called "R&W Deli" just across the street from the Benner movie Theater....and a great Shoemaker, called "Father&Son Shoemaker" right next to Benner Theater....he was so good that I used to buy Jimmy Connors Converse Leather Tennis Shoes, and I played Tennis daily at Max Myers, that I'd wear the soles out quickly, then I took them to this Shoemaker, and he would clean them up, and put far superior Tennis Soles onto my Jimmy Connors Tennis shoes, and they lasted so much longer, was a Great Deal!!! One of the Hamburger Joints that has been referred to near the 7-11 on Castor Ave. near Princeton Ave. in the 70's used to be called "Burger Doodle".....very good Hamburgers!!! I really enjoy reading this Forum, and bringing back some of the Happiest Days of Our Lives.....Super Memories!!! Thanks for letting me share!! Best, Ray!!!
My Mom worked at Pollys from about 1955 til 1961..a frequent customer when he came to town was Eddie Fisher..he was from the neighborhood..Pollys son played the Organ at the big Catholic church at the circle..Moms name was Dot
Food Fair did become Pantry Pride. NE class of June 63
China house
You are right
I remember all those places on Castor Avenue. I grew up living on McKinley Street and went to Carnell Elementary School and Woodrow Wilson Jr High School, then on to Olney High School. I moved away from Philadelphia to Lancaster, Pa when I was 16 yrs old. I missed all those wonderful places.
Sandi Solodky Yoffee, Sept 20, 2019
Yes it was.My family ate there many times.Also, anybody remember The Castor Bootery shoe store.
My mother married a PA man and my older two brothers and I moved to Philly, from Texas, in 1959. My half-sister was born there, but the marriage didn't last and we moved from his house to a rental on Disston St. in Summer '61, a half block from J. Hampton Moore. We only lived there one year, my first grade, before we moved back to Texas, but I have many memories, mostly indistinct, from my time there. My teacher's name was Ruth Teitell, and I and a girl in the class were the only non-Jewish. On Jewish holidays the school was nearly empty, but at Christmas my mother baked a Santa Claus cake for the class. Honestly, the meeting of my family and that near neighbohood was mutual culture shock, though as a 6 year old, I was barely aware. The people all seemed happy and friendly to me.
My mother waitressed at a restaurant that she believes was at Castor and Tyson. I remember the directions there and appearance of the building and from maps that seems to fit. That building is a shoe factory today, but if that is the right location, I gather from this blog that was Barson's Grill, if it was already named that in 1961. It was actually her trying to remember the name that got me googling and brought me here. Ninety-four now, she remembers that a big seller specialty was fried tomatoes and that their french fries were very good. I will try and confirm the name with her next time I see her.
Though I don't remember it's location or name, i remember a delicatessen on Castor, that we frequented, that always had a barrel of the best kosher dill pickles! Those and soft pretzels are two fond memories of that time in Philly.
My father sent my two older brothers a go-cart for Christmas, and after they got it assembled, the ground being frozen over they took it to the Moore playground and using an axe chipped the ice away to make a path for it. In 1966, when we visited, the axe marks were still visible in the asphalt. Later, they just terrorized the neighborhood.
I've never been sorry that we returned to Texas, but my family all has some fond memories of our year on Disston St.
Mom's memory resparked and she remembered that the name of the restaurant she worked at was Darrow's...
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Goodness,every birthday cake had to come from Bogaslovsky's, ballerina decorations and all!
Do you remember the cinnabon bakery under the el where the owners apron was so covered with sticky bun glaze that his apron was as stiff as a board?
Nobody mentioned the Country Club Diner ( Restaurant) on Cottman and Summerdale near NE Highschool. Went from a plain diner in the 50s to a large restaurant in the 60s open all night. BRG
Unknown
Mar 27, 2020, 9:36 PM
to me
On March 27, 2020 Unknown has left a new comment on the post "Castor Avenue: From Oxford Circle to Cottman Avenu...":
"Goodness,every birthday cake had to come from Bogaslovsky's, ballerina decorations and all!
Do you remember the cinnabon bakery under the el where the owners apron was so covered with sticky bun glaze that his apron was as stiff as a board?"
My response to the above:
The name of the cinnamon-bun bakery was "Bucky's Sticky Buns." It was on the east side of Frankford Ave. Near Bridge and Pratt Sts. Nearby was the Ellis movie theater and "Hanscom's" a retail bakery which sold many pre-packaged baked goods (as did Horn & Hardart retail shops ~ remember those?). Closeby was the Social Security office where many of us from the Great Northeast obtained our Social Security Cards.
I grew up on there. I remember Bob's water truck. Ike from the shoe repair shop on 6000 castor passed away in early 2020.He was a nice guy.RIP.
Hi Rina, This is old friend Larry Kligman from High School. Came across your Oxford Circle memories and wanted to say Hello. Living in Delray Beach Florida with High school girlfriend Joy Servetnick. I believe I might have seen you around 15 years ago walking around Hendrix St when I lived on Regina St. Anyway great to reminisce.
Northwood it’s mentioned on this post it was right across the street from McDonald’s across the street from Saint Martin of Tours school
And how about Linton's. Lynn's Shoe store, the pharmacy on the corner of Levick and Castor Ave, called Astor's, Pliner's shoe store and of course the Shoe Nook at 6410 Castor ave. My parents owned that store , we lived above the store and I grew up working there. At one time they had two stores. One was the Shoe Nook and the other was Rogers Better Shoes at 6036 Castor Ave. We sold Buster Brown and Edwards shoes. I was born in 1942 so my formative years in Oxford Circle was from 1950 to 1964 when I got married and moved away. Carnell, Fels and Northeast High class of 1960 (first complete class to graduate). The houses in Oxford Circle were developed and build by Hyman Korman. I remember when the first MacDonald's came to Castor Avenue; $.50 for a hamburger. I got my Bar Mitzvah suit at Fleets on Castor near Magee. I went to Temple University and hitch-hiked both ways every day! Graduation party at Cottman Lanes and donuts at the donut place (name?) two blocks away toward Bustleton Ave. Klein's on Cottman. Temple Sholom was at the top of the hill in the 6000 block near the Boulevard. Good hoggies at the Tyson grill. We played a type of handball called "chink" because the best shot you could make was when the ball hit the chink between the vertical wall and the ground; a winner every time. I remember drives to Atlantic City late at night after we played a gig. We would chip in for gas at .25 cents a gallon. I won many trophies at the Yo-Yo competitions in front of the Benner. How come the Yo-Yo champs were from the Phillipines.
It looks like you lived pretty close to Astor's Pharmacy! How convenient to live so close to the Bushrod Library, which was about a mile-walk from where we first lived in Oxford Circle. I didn't realize that Shoe Nook and Rogers Better Shoes were owned by the same folks. Do you recall those fluoroscope x-ray machines in shoe stores? What were we thinking?
I noticed you mentioned a 50 cent hamburger at McDonalds....did you mean to say, 15 cents? The donut shop near Cottman Lanes (Cottman Ave. & Horrocks St.) was "Dunkin' Donuts." As you are a couple of years older than me, you should remember the Woolworths (near the Benner movie theater) before it relocated close to Hellerman St. No doubt, you will recall the Sun-Ray Drug Store before it became The Gingham House restaurant. Lest we forget Dante's Inferno and Calinoff's restaurants so close to where you lived. How fortunate we were to be raised in such a safe, great place!
I was born in South Philly in 1952 and we moved to the Northeast in 1963 and lived at Castor & Stevens St. (near Deveraux.) I went to Fels Jr. High and graduated from Northeast High in June 1969. I moved across the country to L.A. on Jan 1, 1970 but right now I am watching one of my favorite oldie movies, Cat Ballou with Michael Callan. His father owned Dante's Inferno on Castor Ave and his dad had tons of pictures of him on every wall.
Fond memories of what was the Great Northeast of the erstwhilst yonder years.
I just stumbled onto this blog while searching for an old picture of Ronnie's Hamburgers. Grew up there... Elbridge Summerdale. Fond memories of Carnell, Fels, NE 72. The guy "I'm buying mens clothing", Sunday morning treks to Bogaslafsky for bagels... My first job was working at Burts pharmacy on Benner for $20 cash per week
Grew up at Freda & AL candy store on Greeby. We would torment their somewhat rotund son and call him Punsy. I never knew why. On this blog is a reference to Punsee. What is that?
Lits never became Gimbels.
I have great memories of Gene's Deli on Castor south of Hartel.
China House
The Tyson Grille was Large and Tyson. Not on Castor Ave.
Tyson Grill on Bustleton and Tyson.
Ed ran Frank's for a long time before Frank died. Frank used to sit in a booth in the back of the store. Spent a lot of time there. Also love Polly's.
Best center fielder was Richie Asburn
A plus u miss cola truck maxies norm ktesson com harry rubanoff 1440 elbridge 73 northeast thanks there more
I grew up 1103 Elbridge. 1400 must have been on the other side of castor?
Graduated NE in ‘74. Worked at Jack-in-the-box Castor and Levick. Nate’s Deli was on the SW corner .05 pickles. Flishmans furniture on Castor. Kugers on Summerdale and Magee. Anyone remember the name of the ice cream store on Oxford at Tyson?
Did anyone mention Sobels Hobby Shop...was next to the first S&H Hardware store. The 'Circle" was the greatest place to grow up 50's-60's. Loved Castor Ave. Loved the entire Circle. It was a playground. The worse thing that happened to me was getting my hub caps and 8 track stolen(1967).
Highlights: no special order
Street Sports in the driveway
Pinball at Bernie & Bertha's
Cue and Cushion Roosevelt Mall
Tarken
Punzies
Watching Cottman Ave grow after CC Diner was built
Castor Ave.... greatest retail Ave for the times....and best place to hang out. Go Ronnies.
Yo-Yo contest at the movies.
Movie theater...Go on stage with 5 other people and eat crackers and whistle...win a free ticket.
Seeing JFK Castor & Unruh
McKee's / Cukers...miss those $.01 pretzel sticks
I can go on & on...thanks to everyone that posted. Our hearts are "Circled. I have lifetime friends from 1200 Fanshawe St and from School(s). 75yo and still going. Thanks for the memories. It was the best of times.
Does anyone remember the name of the caterer at castor ave and Oxford Circle?
Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories, especially mentioning the Wishart!
reading this i swear i wrote it! so many great memories. i too loved jimmy hot dog’s corvair. a few years ago, i thought i might try to replicate it. that went nowhere. i graduated from news in ‘65. lived in unruh. remember coker’s well. one afternoon, a few of us went in and sat at the counter, asking for a glass of water. when cuker brought them, we proceeded to drop in fizzies. he got pissed and chased us out, throwing eggs as we ran! i never thought that eddie and moose’s rendition of gloria was THAT bad. thanks for jogging my memory. i actually must know you based upon your writings. thanks - mm
I was in the first class at the New Northeast. Woodrow Wilson jr high and Solis Cohen elementary. Dairy Queen on Caster Ave. for a 25 cent giant cone.
His motorcade came and went past very quickly with motorcycles on both sides.
I lived on Agusta a d remember Arnold's well. It was Jack's before Arnold's.
I remember Bee and Mel's in the early 70's
Can anyone remember what burger stand was located on Castor Ave just north of the circle at Wyoming Ave. I worked in the 15th District on Philly PD and remember dining there quite a few times. They had some old photos on the wall there of a rock band playing on the roof of the place at their grand opening. I’m drawing a blank. Thanks for any help.
I remember LENNY’S Hotdogs. We didn’t know it at the time but we had the best of everything!
Anyone remember the shack restaurant on the Blvd right below cottman?
The Chinese restaurant was called China House.
That was the Northwood, I had my bar mitzvah dinner there
The Tyson Grill at the corner of Tyson and Castor was owned by the Himelfarbs. I went to school with their daughter, Anita.
I used to buy cinnamon buns from Bogey's on the way home from NEHS in 1960. I lived on 1200 Greeby st.
I remember him! His name was Mr. Wakis. "Mr. Wakis calling! I'm buying men's clothing!"
I lived a few doors from Punzie's on Greeby St. It was owned by Al Shein. I bet I know you. I knew everyone at Punzie's.
I believe the owner was Lou Calinoff and his son acted as Michael Callan. He was in Cat Ballou with Jane Fonda and Lee Marvin. I think that allowed him to buy his father the restaurant.
It was the punchline to a bad joke
I worked as a soda jerk at Welches in the mid 60s. Owned by Harry Welch. He and his wife worked there. He was a great guy. Half the customers were his friends that just sat there all day and kibitzed.
He was high school football star and she was a cheerleader or considered a great beauty. She was a shrew when I worked there very disappointed in her station in life. I think I left because of her. I took all the silver coins that went thru the register and replaced them with non silver. She accused me of stealing. Also yelled at me for giving my friends too much ice cream on their cones. After work harry would drive me home to Kindred St in his comet convertible.
Also a NEHS 1970 grad
On the way to Atlantic City via the tacony bridge, we would buy soft pretzels from a vendor at the light at deveraux and the boulevard. Still hot from the bakery. 3 for a quarter with mustard.
Polar Cub - Large @ Cottman
Barsons Deli occupied the site at Tyson and Castor.
Fantastic site here. I grew up in 5 points 60 s and 70 s . Remember the Record Museum past castor on cottman ? Cottman lanes , Jack in the Box on bustleton. The Corn Exchange Bank on rising sun . Closed around 1965. Crest diner is still there on rising sun. We lived in the greatest time possible to enjoy life as it should be.
I grew up in a duplex on the 6800 block of Castor Ave in the 1960's and 70's (between Knorr and Longshore), and my uncle owned Mirrow's Furs on Castor near the Tyson theater. So many memories on this site that I haven't thought about in many years...
And let's not forget Fisher's (Seafood) Restaurant, about one block north of Cottman. A knockoff of the venerable Miles Fisher's Restaurant on Broad Street, yet with a huge following of its own.
Those Department of Records photos suck! They focus more on sidewalks than storefronts.
Yes
China House
I could only order chicken chow mein and parents shared a dish. If my dad had extra money that week, he ordered spare ribs.
I had my Sweet Sixteen at the Fisher’s on Castor Avenue. My sister in law’s mother worked at Fisher’s until she was 80 years old.
My friend lived in Oxford Circle about ten years ago. There were broken beer bottles and hyperdermic needles on the street. She lived on the 1200 block of Greeby. I think the cross street was Frontenac.
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